Written by: Waikinya J.S. Clanton and Brian Hawkins Illustrations by: James “Jai” Davis
ABOUT THE DEFENDERS OF DEMOCRACY CAMPAIGN & COMIC A PROJECT OF THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER'S MISSISSIPPI STATE OFFICE, THE 2023 DEFENDERS OF DEMOCRACY CAMPAIGN IS A MULTIFACETED CAMPAIGN THAT INTRODUCES TEENS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS TO THE MULTIPLE LAYERS OF CIVIC PARTICIPATION BY JOINING THE IDEAS OF ARTS AND ACTIVISM IN A WAY THAT CENTERS VOTER ENGAGEMENT. THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN TELLS THE STORY OF VOTER EDUCATION, VOLUNTEERISM, ORGANIZING AND MOBILIZATION IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT CHANGES TO VOTING LAWS IN MISSISSIPPI. WE DELIBERATELY USE A COMIC BOOK TO TELL THIS STORY IN A WAY THAT IT CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR BROADER CONVERSATIONS FOR FAMILIES AROUND VOTING AND HOW EVERYONE CAN PLAY A PART IN DEFENDING DEMOCRACY. WRITTEN BY MISSISSIPPI STATE DIRECTOR, WAIKINYA J.S. CLANTON AND GRAPHIC NOVELIST BRIAN HAWKINS, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY JAMES "JAI" DAVIS, DEFENDERS OF DEMOCRACY FOLLOWS COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND DEFENDER OF DEMOCRACY, ALEXIS JAI AND HER FRIENDS- CLARKSTON, HARPER, MARIE, IMANI AND OF COURSE GRANNY PHINEY AS THEY WORK TO PROTECT VOTERS FROM THE AFFECTS OF NEW VOTER SUPPRESSION LAWS IN MISSISSIPPI. THEIR HARDWORK IS NOT MET WITHOUT OPPOSITION AS COMIC SUPER VILLAINS-- GOVERNOR NATE REESE, AND HIS ACCOMPLICES - MIKAL, SPEAKER PHILIPIA, AND MR. FLYNN HAVE AN AGENDA OF THEIR OWN IN THEIR QUEST TO DESTROY DEMOCRACY. TO FIND OUT HOW THE STORY ENDS, SEE THE COMIC INSIDE AND DON'T FORGET TO ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 7, 2023! FOR MORE INFO VISIT: WWW.SPLCENTER.ORG/ACTIVATE-MISSISSIPPI DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. NAMES, CHARACTERS, EVENTS AND INCIDENTS ARE THE PRODUCTS OF THE AUTHORS’ IMAGINATIONS. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL PERSONS, LIVING OR DEAD, OR ACTUAL EVENTS IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL. ALSO, THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS BOOK DOES NOT, AND IS NOT INTENDED TO, CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE.
MEET THE DEFENDERS OF DEMOCRACY
ALEXIS JAI
GRANNY PHINEY
CLARKSTON
MAYOR BANSFIELD-DALAH
REP. LEVI
HARPER
MARIA
IMANI
CITY CLERK
MEET THE DESTROYERS OF DEMOCRACY
GOVERNOR NATE REESE
MIKAL DOTSON
MR. FLYNN
SPEAKER PHILIPIA
SECURITY
THE SHADOW PEOPLE
THEN... GOVERNOR'S MANSION, JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
HESE DO T WHO S THINK FO LK ? ARE THEY
F NS O __SO DS!!! R A Z BUZ
TRYING TO UNRAVEL ALL I'VE DONE. HOW DARE THEY?!
>SIGH
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